Wood vs Gas vs Electric Fireplace Cost Calculator
How to Use This Fireplace Cost Comparison Calculator
This page helps you compare the seasonal operating cost of three common fireplace types: wood, gas, and electric. Enter your typical heat output, hours of use, and local fuel prices, and the calculator estimates how much each fireplace type costs to run for the season.
Use this tool if you are:
- Choosing between installing a wood, gas, or electric fireplace
- Deciding whether to keep using your current fireplace or switch to another type
- Comparing the cost to run your fireplace to other heating options
Inputs the Calculator Uses
The calculator works with a few simple inputs you can usually estimate or look up:
- Heat Needed (BTU/hour) – How much supplemental heat you want the fireplace to provide on average while it is running.
- Hours of Use per Season – Total hours you expect to run the fireplace during the heating season.
- Wood Cost per Cord ($) – Your local price for a full cord of firewood.
- BTU per Cord – The energy content of your wood. Typical seasoned firewood ranges from about 16 to 24 million BTU per cord.
- Gas Price per Therm ($) – Your natural gas or propane rate per therm (1 therm = 100,000 BTU).
- Gas Fireplace Efficiency (%) – How efficiently your gas fireplace converts fuel into usable heat. You can often find this in the product manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Electric Fireplace Power (kW) – The rated power draw of your electric fireplace when heating.
- Electricity Rate ($/kWh) – Your electricity price per kilowatt-hour from your utility bill.
Formulas Used for Wood, Gas, and Electric Fireplaces
The calculator first estimates your total seasonal heat requirement, then converts that into fuel use and cost for each fireplace type.
1. Total Seasonal Heat Requirement
Let:
- Bt = heat needed per hour in BTU/hour
- h = hours of use per season
The total seasonal heat requirement H is:
Result: H is measured in BTU per season.
2. Wood Fireplace Operating Cost
Let:
- Bc = BTU per cord of wood
- Pc = price per cord of wood in dollars
Cords of wood required:
cords = H ÷ Bc
Seasonal wood cost Cw:
Cw = (H ÷ Bc) × Pc
3. Gas Fireplace Operating Cost
Gas is measured in therms, where 1 therm = 100,000 BTU. Let:
- Pt = price per therm of gas in dollars
- η = gas fireplace efficiency (for example, 80% efficiency = 0.80)
First, adjust for efficiency: the burner must produce more BTU than you receive as useful heat. Effective fuel BTU required is H ÷ η.
Therms required:
therms = (H ÷ η) ÷ 100,000
Seasonal gas cost Cg:
Cg = ((H ÷ η) ÷ 100,000) × Pt
4. Electric Fireplace Operating Cost
Electric fireplaces are typically close to 100% efficient at converting electricity into heat, so the calculation is simpler. Let:
- Pe = electric fireplace power in kW
- Re = electricity rate in $/kWh
- h = hours of use per season
Seasonal electricity use in kWh:
kWh = Pe × h
Seasonal electric cost Ce:
Ce = Pe × h × Re
Worked Example: Typical Supplemental Heating Scenario
Suppose you want to compare all three fireplace types using these values (which match the defaults in the calculator):
- Heat Needed: 20,000 BTU/hour
- Hours of Use: 200 hours per season
- Wood Cost: $300 per cord
- BTU per Cord: 20,000,000 BTU
- Gas Price: $1.50 per therm
- Gas Fireplace Efficiency: 80%
- Electric Fireplace Power: 1.5 kW
- Electricity Rate: $0.13 per kWh
Step 1: Total Heat Requirement
H = 20,000 BTU/hour × 200 hours = 4,000,000 BTU
Step 2: Wood Cost
Cords required:
cords = 4,000,000 ÷ 20,000,000 = 0.2 cords
Seasonal wood cost:
Cw = 0.2 × $300 = $60
Step 3: Gas Cost
Adjust for efficiency:
Effective BTU needed from gas = 4,000,000 ÷ 0.80 = 5,000,000 BTU
Therms required:
therms = 5,000,000 ÷ 100,000 = 50 therms
Seasonal gas cost:
Cg = 50 × $1.50 = $75
Step 4: Electric Cost
Energy use:
kWh = 1.5 kW × 200 hours = 300 kWh
Seasonal electric cost:
Ce = 300 × $0.13 = $39
Example Summary
| Fireplace type | Estimated seasonal operating cost |
|---|---|
| Wood | $60 |
| Gas | $75 |
| Electric | $39 |
In this specific scenario, the electric fireplace is cheapest to run, followed by wood, then gas. Your results will change based on local energy prices, your appliance efficiency, and how many hours you use the fireplace.
Interpreting Your Results
When you run the calculator, you will see three dollar amounts: one each for wood, gas, and electric. These represent the estimated operating cost for the season, given your inputs.
To make sense of the numbers:
- Look at which fireplace type has the lowest seasonal cost. This is the least expensive option to run under your assumptions.
- Calculate the difference between options. For example, if gas costs $250 and electric costs $150, the difference is $100 per season.
- Think in terms of payback. If switching from gas to electric requires $1,000 in installation costs, a $100 yearly savings implies about a 10-year simple payback.
- Remember that comfort, aesthetics, and maintenance may matter as much as operating cost. A slightly more expensive option might still be better for your home.
Comparison of Wood vs Gas vs Electric Fireplaces
Operating cost is only one factor. The table below summarizes high-level tradeoffs while keeping cost in focus.
| Feature | Wood fireplace | Gas fireplace | Electric fireplace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical operating cost (per unit of heat) | Often low where wood is cheap; varies with wood price and cord quality. | Moderate; strongly depends on gas price and appliance efficiency. | Can be low or high depending on electricity rates; often predictable month to month. |
| Upfront installation cost | High if adding chimney or stove and meeting code requirements. | Moderate to high; requires gas line and venting. | Usually lowest; many plug-in or simple hardwired units. |
| Convenience | Requires buying, storing, and loading wood; more hands-on. | Very convenient; instant on/off and thermostat control in many models. | Most convenient; remote control and no fuel deliveries. |
| Maintenance | Regular chimney cleaning, ash removal, and inspection. | Occasional servicing and vent inspection. | Minimal maintenance; mainly dusting and checking electrical connections. |
| Emissions | Produces smoke and particulates; may be restricted in some areas. | Lower on-site emissions; still fossil fuel based. | No on-site combustion; emissions depend on local power generation mix. |
| Real flame and ambiance | Real wood fire, aroma, and sound. | Real flame effect without wood smoke. | Simulated flame; ambiance varies by model. |
Assumptions and Limitations
This calculator is designed to give simple, transparent estimates, not exact predictions. Important assumptions and limitations include:
- Operating costs only: The tool compares fuel and electricity use. It does not include installation, permits, venting changes, chimney liners, or equipment purchase costs.
- Wood BTU content: The “BTU per cord” value is an approximation. Real-world values depend on species, density, and moisture content. Wet or unseasoned wood can provide far fewer BTU per cord than dry hardwood.
- Efficiency inputs: Gas fireplace efficiency can vary widely. Always use values from the manufacturer when possible. Actual efficiency may also vary with venting, maintenance, and how you operate the unit.
- Electric efficiency: The calculator effectively assumes electric fireplaces convert nearly all input power to heat. In practice, small losses occur, but they are usually minor compared with other uncertainties.
- Fuel price volatility: Wood, gas, and electricity prices can change rapidly by season and region. For reliable comparisons, update your prices regularly using your latest bills or supplier quotes.
- Space heating context: The BTU/hour value you enter is treated as additional heat delivered directly to the living space. It does not account for how your central heating system may respond (for example, how much it turns down when the fireplace runs).
- Simplified usage pattern: The calculator multiplies a single BTU/hour value by a total number of hours. It does not model day-by-day changes in outdoor temperature, thermostat schedules, or varying fireplace output levels.
- No safety or code evaluation: Results do not consider building codes, clearance requirements, ventilation, carbon monoxide risks, or any other safety regulations. Always consult qualified professionals before installing or modifying a fireplace.
- No environmental or health advice: Emissions, indoor air quality, and health impacts are not quantified. Local rules may restrict certain fireplace types or fuel uses.
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional energy, installation, or safety advice.